Venezuela: Maduro claims victory in vote that critics call a sham

Venezuela’s president has declared a sweeping victory in a vote that much of the world — and many of his own citizens — have called an assault on human rights and democracy.

Opposition members are calling for a massive protest Monday after Sunday’s election, which allowed President Nicolás Maduro to replace the current legislative body, the National Assembly, with a new, 545-member Constituent Assembly — all nominated by his administration.

The new, pro-Maduro assembly will have the power to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution.

“We have a Constituent Assembly. I said, come hell or high water– and hell and high water came — and the Constituent Assembly arrived from the hand of the people, from its conscience,” Maduro said.

Maduro argued that the Constituent Assembly will help bring peace to a polarized country, with all branches of the government falling under the political movement founded by his late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
But the opposition boycotted the election, calling it fraudulent — and saying the Constituent Assembly will erode democracy.

What’s next for Venezuela?
Many world leaders say the vote erased any last traces of democracy in Venezuela.

One Maduro’s top administration officials, Diosdado Cabello, said the Constituent Assembly would establish a “truth commission” to prosecute political opponents.

Police tactics could intensify, too. On Sunday, police motorcycle brigades fired tear gas, and video surfaced showing law enforcement beating up an unarmed man.

Then there’s the economic fallout. The US already sanctioned 13 Venezuelan leaders connected to Maduro last week, and the Trump administration is threatening sanctions against Venezuela’s oil industry.

While the sanctions could ultimately worsen the county’s food shortages, some protesters say it’s a risk they’re willing to take, since it might drive more Venezuelans to try to push out their government.

“The sanctions that will come from the United States — I’m not looking forward to them because that afflicts us as people,” said a 33-year old protester who identified himself only as Victor.

“But I want it because I know it can create enough pressure on the government.”

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